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Study by Kresge Trustee Phillip Clay examines contemporary role of historically black colleges and universities, and the challenges they face

America’s traditionally black colleges and universities are facing extraordinary challenges and must change institutional practices if they are to thrive into the 21st century, Phillip L. Clay, a member of The Kresge Foundation’s Board of Trustees, concludes in a study.

“All of this points to the imperative for HBCUs to present a fresh and compelling case for their ability to meet the needs of black college-bound youth,” Clay states in the study undertaken while he served as a senior fellow at the Ford Foundation.

Clay says that these 105 colleges and universities have a proud history of educating black students after slavery and during the era of discrimination and exclusion from most schools, but that a new mission and focus are needed.

With more options now open to black students, many of the better-prepared students and those from more affluent families are choosing other schools, leaving historically black colleges and universities with a pool of less-qualified applicants with fewer financial resources, he says.

Many of the schools are hamstrung by the need to keep tuition low even as that reduces money available to hire top instructors and take other positive steps.

Pointing to the example of all-female colleges or church-based schools as institutions that adapted to new realities, Clay says change can be navigated successfully.

The study is significant for Kresge’s Education Program, beyond Clay’s connection to the foundation. Kresge has long supported historically black colleges and universities. In recent years, the Education Program has sought to help these institutions fulfill their missions through support for efforts that reduce operating costs, enhance institutional sustainability or effectiveness and improve student persistence.